Punch Bar: A Speakeasy in Pasadena

The new Picnik restaurant is continuing to expand in the space formerly occupied by 168 restaurant (and Villa Sorriso before that). Now, in addition to a sausage pub, brunch restaurant and coffee station, there’s a cleverly concealed speakeasy, Punch Bar.

Punch Bar is located behind a cute little door with an ornate punch bowl design. Ring the bell and step back into time, into a world filled with punch. A small and simple space, there’s room for a bar and riffs on punch from the 1600s to 1800s. While punches might be the namesake of the bar, the couch-filled space also offers aperitifs and digestifs that make good before or after drinks for Picnik.

Filled with couches, you can actually interact with servers as you enjoy a tasty punch and a few small bites from the kitchen at Picnik. The creative minds behind Punch Bar and the speakeasy lounge concept are Robin Chopra and Darwin Manahan of Corazon y Miel.

According to Eater, “At the moment, Punch only operates on Thursday and Friday evenings from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., with reservations highly recommended. Said reservations can be made by texting 626-639-8169. Walk-ins are also welcome, but the place fills up pretty quick.” Eventually, the hours will expand to going through the weekend and then six nights a week, but it is only in the first few weeks of opening so far.

To get in to Punch Bar, look for the concealed door in Picnik and ring the bell. But be sure to check the Instagram page for more details and a possible secret password to get you into the lounge.